Variable evaporator outlet air pressure distribution

ABSTRACT

A climate control system for a vehicle having a plurality of modes includes an evaporator having a downstream face. The system also includes at least one blower that blows air across the evaporator. The air downstream of the blower has a pressure distribution defined generally along the downstream face. The pressure distribution along the downstream face is variable depending on which of the plurality of modes the climate control system is currently set.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/468,995, filed on Mar. 29, 2011, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a climate control system and, moreparticularly, relates to a climate control system configured forvariable evaporator outlet air pressure distribution.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Vehicles have been equipped with air conditioning systems (HVAC systems,climate control systems, etc.) for many years. Typically, these systemsinclude a cooling cycle with an evaporator, condenser, compressor, etc.,and refrigerant flows through the cooling cycle and changes temperaturethrough the cycle. Air can flow over an evaporator of the cooling cycleto be chilled, and this chilled air can be delivered to the passengercabin to thereby cool the passenger cabin.

Also, these HVAC systems can include a heater core that is heated by thevehicle engine. Air can flow over the heater core to be heated, and thisheated air can be delivered to the passenger cabin to thereby heat thepassenger cabin.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A climate control system for a vehicle having a plurality of modes isdisclosed. The climate control system includes an evaporator having adownstream face. The system also includes at least one blower that blowsair across the evaporator. The air downstream of the blower has apressure distribution defined generally along the downstream face. Thepressure distribution along the downstream face is variable depending onwhich of the plurality of modes the climate control system is currentlyset.

A method of operating a climate control system having a plurality ofmodes is also disclosed. The method includes blowing air from at leastone blower across an evaporator to define a pressure distribution of theair generally along a downstream face of the evaporator. The method alsoincludes varying the pressure distribution along the downstream facedepending on which of the plurality of modes the climate control systemis currently set.

Furthermore, a climate control system for a vehicle having a vent modeand a heat mode is disclosed. The system includes a ducting assemblydefining a first airflow path and a second airflow path. Each of thefirst and second airflow paths feed into a passenger cabin of thevehicle. The system also includes an evaporator having an upstream face,a downstream face, a first longitudinal region that is disposedgenerally in the first airflow path, and a second longitudinal regionthat is disposed generally in the second airflow path. The systemadditionally includes a heater core disposed generally within the secondairflow path. The first airflow path bypasses the heater core. Moreover,the system includes at least one blower that blows air across theevaporator from the upstream face to the downstream face to flow throughat least one of the first and second airflow paths. The air downstreamof the at least one blower has a pressure distribution defined generallyalong the downstream face. Additionally, the system includes acontroller that controls at least one of the ducting assembly and the atleast one blower to vary the pressure distribution along the downstreamface, depending on which of the plurality of modes the climate controlsystem is currently set.

Additionally, a climate control system for a vehicle having a pluralityof modes is disclosed. The climate control system includes an evaporatorhaving a downstream face and at least one blower that blows air acrossthe evaporator. The air downstream of the blower has a pressuredistribution defined generally along the downstream face. Moreover, thesystem includes a means for varying the pressure distribution along thedownstream face depending on which of the plurality of modes the climatecontrol system is currently set.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle with a climate controlsystem of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the climate controlsystem of FIG. 1 shown in a vent mode;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the climate controlsystem of FIG. 1 shown in a heat mode;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the climate control systemaccording to additional embodiments;

FIG. 5A is a schematic sectional view of the climate control system ofFIG. 4 shown in a vent mode;

FIG. 5B is a schematic sectional view of the climate control system ofFIG. 4 shown in a heat mode;

FIG. 6A is a schematic end view of blocking members of the climatecontrol system of FIG. 5A shown in a vent mode;

FIG. 6B is a schematic end view of blocking members of the climatecontrol system of FIG. 5B shown in a vent mode;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the climate control system accordingto additional embodiments;

FIG. 8A is a schematic sectional view of the climate control system ofFIG. 7 shown in a vent mode; and

FIG. 8B is a schematic sectional view of the climate control system ofFIG. 7 shown in a heat mode.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is illustrated. The vehicle10 can be of any suitable type. For instance, in the embodiment shown,the vehicle 10 is relatively large, such as a van, a minivan, or asports-utility vehicle (SUV). The vehicle 10 can include an enginecompartment 12 and a passenger compartment 14. The passenger compartment14 can include a front cabin area 16 (i.e., a first cabin area) and arear cabin area 18 (i.e., a second cabin area). The front and rear cabinareas 16, 18 can each include respective seating areas for passengers.Also, the rear cabin area 18 can include one or more cargo areas.

The vehicle 10 can include a climate control system 19 suitable foradjusting air temperature within the passenger compartment 14. Theclimate control system 19 can have various components, which will bediscussed in detail below, for delivering heated or chilled air into thepassenger compartment 14. The system 19 can include a ducting assembly21 with various air outlets 22. The air outlets 22 can be configured todeliver air to the front cabin area 16, the rear cabin area 18, to awindshield, to footwells, or any other area of the passenger compartment14. Other portions of the climate control system 19 can be locatedprimarily within the engine compartment 12; however, the climate controlsystem 19 can be located anywhere within the vehicle 10.

The climate control system 19 can have various modes, such as a VENTmode for delivering chilled air to the passenger compartment 14 or, atleast, for providing fresh air from outside the vehicle 10 to thepassenger compartment 14. The climate control system 19 can also have aHEAT mode for providing heated air to the passenger compartment 14.These modes can be selected automatically (e.g., by a computerizedcontroller of a known type) or can be selected manually using usercontrols 20 (e.g., buttons, knobs, etc.). The user controls 20 caninclude a temperature setting device, a fan speed control, a selectorfor selecting which area of the passenger compartment 14 to deliverheated/chilled/fresh air, etc.

As will be discussed, the climate control system 19 can be veryefficient. As a result, fuel economy for the vehicle can be increased.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the climate control system 19 will bediscussed in greater detail. As noted above, the climate control system19 is shown in VENT mode in FIG. 2 and in HEAT mode in FIG. 3.

The ducting assembly 21 is shown in greater detail. As shown, theducting assembly 21 can include a common plenum 24, a vent inlet 31, avent outlet 26, a heat inlet 35, a heat opening 33, and a heat outlet28. A “vent airflow path” (indicated by arrow 25 in FIG. 2) can bedefined between the vent inlet 31 and the vent outlet 26. Also a “heatairflow path” (indicated by arrow 30 in FIG. 3) can be partially definedbetween the heat inlet 35, the heat opening 33, and the heat outlet 28.The airflow paths 25, 30 are distinct from each other. The vent and heatoutlets 26, 28 can be in fluid communication with the air outlets 22shown in FIG. 1 such that air can flow from the plenum 24, along eitherthe vent or heat airflow paths 25, 30 and into the passenger compartment14 of the vehicle 10.

The ducting assembly 21 can also include one or more directing members27, 29 that change direction of the airflow between the vent and heatairflow paths 25, 30. The directing members 27, 29 can each berelatively flat panels or doors. For instance, the ducting assembly 21can include a first directing member 27 that pivots between a firstposition (shown in FIG. 2) and a second position (shown in FIG. 3), andthe ducting assembly 21 can also include a second directing member 29that pivots between a first position (shown in FIG. 2) and a secondposition (shown in FIG. 3). In their respective first positions shown inFIG. 2, the first directing member 27 can substantially close off theheat inlet 35, and the second the directing member 29 can substantiallyclose off the heat opening 33. In contrast, in their respective secondpositions shown in FIG. 3, the first directing member 27 cansubstantially close off the vent inlet 31, and the second directingmember 29 can substantially close off the vent outlet 26. Accordingly,air can flow along the vent airflow path 25 when the first and seconddirecting members 27, 29 are in their first positions, and air can flowalong the heat airflow path 30 when the first and second directingmembers 27, 29 are in their second positions.

It will be appreciated that the system 19 can include any suitable typeand/or number of directing members 27, 29. It will also be appreciatedthat multiple directing members 27, 29, including those not shown, cancooperate to direct airflow through the system 19. Also, it will beappreciated that the system 19 can define any suitable number, shape,and/or configuration of passageways and/or airflow paths 25, 30.

The system 19 can additionally include a first blower 34 a and a secondblower 34 b. The blowers 34 a, 34 b can be of any suitable type. Theblowers 34 a, 34 b can be disposed within the ducting assembly 21. Theblowers 34 a, 34 b can be spaced away from each other. The first blower34 a can blow air along a first airflow path 52 into the common plenum24 via a first blower inlet 35 a. The second blower 34 b can blow airalong a second airflow path 54 into the common plenum 24 via a secondblower inlet 35 b. It will be appreciated that the blowers 34 a, 34 bcan draw air from either a fresh air inlet (not shown) to draw fresh airfrom outside the vehicle and/or the blowers 34 a, 34 b can draw air froma recirculation inlet (not shown) to draw recirculated air from thepassenger compartment 14. It will also be appreciated that the blowers34 a, 34 b can have various speeds or settings, such as a high settingin which the blowers 34 a, 34 b blow air at a high pressure and a lowsetting in which the blowers 34 a, 34 b blow air at a low pressure. Theblowers 34 a, 34 b can have any suitable number of settings and speeds.

Moreover, the system 19 can include a cooling cycle (i.e., refrigerationcycle), which is generally indicated at 36. Of the cooling cycle 36,only the evaporator 38 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; however, it will beappreciated that the cooling cycle 36 can also include a condenser, acompressor, an expansion valve, as is known. Commercially availablerefrigerant can continuously flow through the cooling cycle 36, and thetemperature and pressure of the refrigerant can change as it does so.Specifically, low temperature and low pressure refrigerant can flow(e.g., from an expansion valve) through the evaporator 38, and warmerair from the blowers 34 a, 34 b can flow across the evaporator 38 to bechilled before being introduced into the passenger compartment 14.

The evaporator 38 can include an upstream face 40 and a downstream face42 that are opposite each other. Moreover, the evaporator 38 can includea first region 43 (first longitudinal region) and a second region 45(second longitudinal region). In the embodiments illustrated, the firstregion 43 is disposed between the first blower inlet 35 a and the ventinlet 31. The second region 45 is disposed between the second blowerinlet 35 b and the heat inlet 35.

In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 can include only one climate controlsystem 19, and that system 19 can include only one cooling cycle 36having a single evaporator 38 (as well as a single condenser,compressor, expansion valve, etc.). Regardless of the fact that thesystem 19 includes only a single cooling cycle 36, the system 19 canhave sufficient cooling capacity for cooling vans, minivans, SUVs, andother large vehicles.

Moreover, the vehicle 10 can include a heater core 44 with an upstreamface 46 and a downstream face 48. The heater core 44 can be of a knowntype of heat exchanger that is part of the engine cooling system.Refrigerant can flow between the heater core 44 and an engine (notshown). The refrigerant can be heated by the engine, and if air flowsthrough along the heat airflow path 30, that air can be heated as itflows across the heater core 44.

Additionally, the system 19 can include a controller 50 that can controlthe blowers 34 a, 34 b, the position of the directing members 27, 29,and other components of the climate control system 19. The controller 50can include a processor, a memory device (RAM and/or ROM), as well asother components of a computer. The controller 50 can also be incommunication with the user controls 20 so that the user can inputcommands to the controller 50.

Thus, during operation, both of the first and second blowers 34 a, 34 bcan operate in parallel to blow air across the same evaporator 38.Specifically, in the VENT mode shown in FIG. 2, the first blower 34 acan blow air along the first airflow path 52, primarily across the firstregion 43 of the evaporator 38. The second blower 34 b can blow airalong the second airflow path 54, primarily across the second region 45of the evaporator 38. If the evaporator 38 is operating, the air fromboth blowers 34 a, 34 b can be chilled and can both travel along thevent airflow path 25 to be delivered to the passenger compartment 14. Ifthe evaporator is not operating, the air will not be chilled, but willstill travel along the vent airflow path 25 to the passenger compartment14. Also, during this VENT mode, the air bypasses the heater core 44.

In contrast, in the HEAT mode shown in FIG. 3, the first blower 34 a canblow air along the first airflow path 52, primarily across the firstregion 43 of the evaporator 38. The second blower 34 b can blow airalong the second airflow path 54, primarily across the second region 45of the evaporator 38.

Moreover, the controller 50 can vary the speeds (and, thus, the blowingoutput pressure) of the blowers 34 a, 34 b depending on whether thesystem 19 is in the VENT or HEAT mode. Specifically, the first blower 34a can blow at a “HI” speed and the second blower 34 b can blow at a“LOW” speed when in the VENT mode as shown in FIG. 2. In contrast, thefirst blower 34 a can blow at a “LOW” speed and the second blower 34 bcan blow at a “HI” speed when in the HEAT mode as shown in FIG. 3.Accordingly, by controlling the fan speed, a pressure distribution 56 ofthe blown air (defined along the downstream face 42 of the evaporator)can be varied depending on whether the system 19 is in the VENT or HEATmode.

As shown in FIG. 2, the highest pressure air in the distribution 56 islocated generally over the first region 43 of the evaporator 38 becausethe first blower 34 a is blowing at a higher speed than the secondblower 34 b. This higher pressure air flowing along the first airflowpath 52 from the first blower 34 a is more directly aligned with thevent airflow path 25; therefore, air can be chilled and delivered to thepassenger compartment 14 more efficiently (i.e., with less downstreampressure loss).

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 3, the highest pressure air in thedistribution 56 is located generally over the second region 45 of theevaporator 38 because the second blower 34 b is blowing at a higherspeed than the first blower 34 a. This higher pressure air flowing alongthe second airflow path 54 is more directly aligned with the heatairflow path 30; therefore, air can be heated and delivered to thepassenger compartment 14 more efficiently (i.e., with less downstreampressure loss).

As a result, the air temperature within the passenger compartment 14 canbe adjusted (heated or cooled) with high efficiency, despite onlyincluding one evaporator 38 and one heater core 44. Also, powerconsumption of the system 19 can be reduced, and the noise from theblowers 34 a, 34 b can be reduced as well.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6B, additional embodiments of the climatecontrol system 119 are illustrated. Components that correspond to thoseof the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are indicated by correspondingreference numbers increased by 100.

As shown, the system 119 includes only one blower 134. The system 119also includes a single evaporator 138 with a first region 143 and asecond region 145, similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The ducting system 121 can also include a rear wall 158 that faces theupstream face 140 of the evaporator 138. The rear wall 158 can becontoured to direct the airflow from the blower 134 toward theevaporator 138. The rear wall 158 can include a first portion 162 thatcorresponds in position to the first region 143 of the evaporator 138,and the rear wall 158 can also include a second portion 164 thatcorresponds in position to the second region 145 of the evaporator 138.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 5A-6B, the ducting assembly 121 of thesystem 119 can include one or more first blocking members 160 a and oneor more second blocking members 160 b. As will be discussed, theblocking members 160 a, 160 b can selectively osbstruct airflow betweenthe wall 158 and the upstream face 140 of the evaporator 138 to therebyvary the pressure distribution 156 defined along the downstream face 142of the evaporator 138.

Each blocking member 160 a, 160 b can be a flat plate. As shown in FIGS.6A and 6B, the blocking members 160 a, 160 b can be pivotally mounted toa common support rod 161 and can be arranged in sequence along thelongitudinal axis of the rod 161. Also, a first actuator 166 a and asecond actuator 166 b can be included. A pivot rod 163 a, 163 b canattach the actuators 166 a, 166 b to the respective blocking members 160a, 160 b. The actuator 166 a can actuate the pivot rod 163 a to rotatethe blocking members 160 a relative to the rod 161 between a firstposition and a second position. Likewise, the actuator 166 b can actuatethe pivot rod 163b to rotate the blocking members 160 b relative to therod 161 between a first position and a second position. The actuators166 a, 166 b can each include an electrical motor or can be of any othertype of actuator.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-6B, the first blocking members 160 a are disposedbetween the first portion 162 of the wall 158 and the first region 143of the evaporator 138. Likewise, the second blocking members 160 b aredisposed between the second portion 164 of the wall 158 and the secondregion 145 of the evaporator 138.

Also, the controller 150 can control movement of the blocking members160 a, 160 b between their respective first and second positions tothereby vary the pressure distribution 156 of the air flowing downstreamfrom the evaporator 138. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A(i.e., VENT mode of the system 119), the first blocking members 160 acan be in their second position to allow airflow across the first region143 of the evaporator 138, and the second blocking members 160 b can bein their first position to obstruct airflow across the second region 145of the evaporator 138. Accordingly, air pressure from the first region143 of the evaporator 138 can be higher than air pressure from thesecond region 145 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In contrast, the firstblocking members 160 a can be in their first position (i.e., obstructingposition) and the second blocking members 160 b can be in their secondposition (i.e., unobstructing position) when in the HEAT mode shown inFIG. 5B. Accordingly, air pressure from the second region 145 of theevaporator 138 can be higher than air pressure from the first region 143as illustrated in FIG. 5B. Thus, similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 2and 3, the system 119 of FIGS. 5A-6B can have high efficiency becausethe pressure distribution 156 can be varied to align with the differentairflow paths available in the VENT and HEAT modes.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8B, additional embodiments of the climatecontrol system 219 are illustrated. Components that correspond to theembodiments of FIGS. 5A-6B are indicated by corresponding referencenumbers increased by 100.

As shown, the wall 258 can include a first portion 262 and a secondportion 264. Distance between the evaporator 238 and the first andsecond portions 262, 264 can be varied in order to vary the pressuredistribution 256.

Specifically, the first portion 262 and second portion 264 can bemoveable relative to each other and relative to the evaporator 238. Forinstance, the first portion 262 can include a collapsible bellowsstructure 268 and a first actuator 266 a (e.g., linear actuator) thatcan selectively actuate the bellows structure 268 toward and away fromthe first region 243 of the evaporator 238. The second portion 264 caninclude a collapsible bellows structure 270 and a second actuator 266 b(e.g., linear actuator) that can selectively actuate the bellowsstructure 270 toward and away from the second region 245 of theevaporator 238.

In the VENT mode of FIG. 8A, the distance (first distance) between thefirst portion 262 of the wall 258 and the evaporator 238 is greater thanthe distance (second distance) between the second portion 264 and theevaporator 238. In the HEAT mode of FIG. 8B, the distance (seconddistance) between the second portion 264 of the wall 258 and theevaporator 238 is greater than the distance (first distance) between thefirst portion 262 and the evaporator 238.

Accordingly, more air blows across the first region 243 of theevaporator 238 than the second region 245 in the VENT mode, thusresulting in a higher pressure distribution 256 adjacent the firstregion 243. In other words, a significant portion of the air is directedby the second portion 264 into the space between the first portion 262and the evaporator 238 to thereby increase air pressure flowing acrossthe first region 243 of the evaporator 238.

In contrast, more air blows across the second region 245 of theevaporator 238 than the first region 243 in the HEAT mode, thusresulting in a higher pressure distribution 256 adjacent the secondregion 245. In other words, a significant portion of the air is directedby the first portion 262 into the space between the second portion 264and the evaporator 238 to thereby increase air pressure flowing acrossthe second region 245 of the evaporator 238.

Thus, like the embodiments discussed above, the system 219 can providerelatively high efficiency. This can result in low power consumption andfuel savings.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. It willalso be appreciated that any of the features of the differentembodiments discussed above can be combined and rearranged.

1. A climate control system for a vehicle having a plurality of modes,the climate control system comprising: an evaporator having a downstreamface; at least one blower that blows air across the evaporator, the airdownstream of the blower having a pressure distribution definedgenerally along the downstream face, the pressure distribution along thedownstream face being variable depending on which of the plurality ofmodes the climate control system is currently set.
 2. The climatecontrol system of claim 1, further comprising a heater core and aducting assembly, the ducting assembly defining a first airflow path anda second airflow path, a first region of the evaporator disposedgenerally within the first airflow path, a second region of theevaporator disposed generally within the second airflow path, the heatercore disposed in the second airflow path and the first airflow pathbypassing the heater core, wherein the climate control system has a heatmode and a vent mode, wherein the pressure distribution extends acrossboth the first and second airflow paths, wherein pressure is generallyhigher within the first airflow path than the second airflow path in thevent mode, and wherein pressure is generally higher within the secondairflow path than the first airflow path in the heat mode.
 3. Theclimate control system of claim 2, wherein the ducting assembly includesat least one directing member having a first position and a secondposition, the directing member changing direction of airflow between thefirst and second airflow paths when moving between the first and secondpositions.
 4. The climate control system of claim 2, further comprisinga controller, wherein the at least one blower includes a first blowerand a second blower, the first blower blowing air generally toward thefirst region of the evaporator, the second blower blowing air generallytoward the second region of the evaporator, the controller operable tocontrol the first and second blowers such that blowing output from thefirst blower is greater than that of the second blower in the vent mode,the controller operable to control the first and second blowers suchthat blowing output from the second blower is greater than that of thefirst blower in the heat mode.
 5. The climate control system of claim 2,wherein the ducting assembly includes a wall that faces an upstream faceof the evaporator, wherein a distance between the wall and the upstreamface is variable to vary the pressure distribution along the downstreamface of the evaporator depending on which of the plurality of modes theclimate control system is currently set.
 6. The climate control systemof claim 5, wherein the wall includes a first portion that directsairflow to the first region of the evaporator and a second portion thatdirects airflow to the second region of the evaporator, at least one ofthe first and second portions being moveable relative to the other ofthe first and second portions.
 7. The climate control system of claim 6,wherein a first variable distance is defined between the first portionof the wall and the first region of the evaporator, wherein a secondvariable distance is defined between the second portion of the wall andthe second region of the evaporator, wherein the first distance isgreater than the second distance in the vent mode, and wherein thesecond distance is greater than the first distance in the heat mode. 8.The climate control system of claim 6, further comprising an actuatorthat actuates the at least one of the first and second portions relativeto the other of the first and second portions.
 9. The climate controlsystem of claim 2, wherein the ducting assembly includes a wall thatfaces an upstream face of the evaporator, and further comprising ablocking member that selectively obstructs airflow between the wall andthe upstream face of the evaporator.
 10. The climate control system ofclaim 9, wherein the wall includes a first portion that directs airflowto the first region of the evaporator and a second portion that directsairflow to the second region of the evaporator, the blocking memberincluding a first blocker and a second blocker, the first blockerdisposed between the first portion and the first region of theevaporator, the second blocker disposed between the second portion andthe second region of the evaporator, the first and second blockershaving a first position in which airflow is generally unobstructed and asecond position in which airflow is obstructed, the first blocker beingin the first position and the second blocker being in the secondposition in the vent mode, the first blocker being in the secondposition and the second blocker being in the first position in the heatmode.
 11. The climate control system of claim 10, further comprising anactuator that actuates at least one of the first and second blockersbetween the first and second positions.
 12. A method of operating aclimate control system having a plurality of modes comprising: blowingair from at least one blower across an evaporator to define a pressuredistribution of the air generally along a downstream face of theevaporator; and varying the pressure distribution along the downstreamface depending on which of the plurality of modes the climate controlsystem is currently set.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprisingproviding a heater core and a ducting assembly, the ducting assemblydefining a first airflow path and a second airflow path, a first regionof the evaporator disposed generally within the first airflow path, asecond region of the evaporator disposed generally within the secondairflow path, the heater core disposed in the second airflow path andthe first airflow path bypassing the heater core, wherein the climatecontrol system has a heat mode and a vent mode, wherein the pressuredistribution extends across both the first and second airflow paths, andwherein varying the pressure distribution includes causing pressure tobe generally higher within the first airflow path than the secondairflow path in the vent mode and causing pressure to be generallyhigher within the second airflow path than the first airflow path in theheat mode.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing adirecting member, and further comprising changing direction of airflowbetween the first and second airflow paths by moving the directingmember between first and second positions.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein blowing air from the at least one blower includes blowing airfrom a first blower and a second blower, the first blower blowing airgenerally toward the first region of the evaporator, the second blowerblowing air generally toward the second region of the evaporator,further comprising controlling the first and second blowers such thatblowing output from the first blower is greater than that of the secondblower in the vent mode, and further comprising controlling the firstand second blowers such that blowing output from the second blower isgreater than that of the first blower in the heat mode.
 16. The methodof claim 13, wherein varying the pressure distribution includes varyinga distance between an upstream face of the evaporator and a wall thatfaces the upstream face to vary the pressure distribution along thedownstream face of the evaporator depending on which of the plurality ofmodes the climate control system is currently set.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the wall includes a first portion that directs airflowto the first region of the evaporator and a second portion that directsairflow to the second region of the evaporator, and wherein varying thedistance includes increasing a first distance between the first portionand the first region when in the vent mode and increasing a seconddistance between the second portion and the second region when in theheat mode.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein varying the pressuredistribution includes selectively obstructing airflow between anupstream face of the evaporator and a wall that faces the upstream faceof the evaporator.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the wall includesa first portion that directs airflow to the first region of theevaporator and a second portion that directs airflow to the secondregion of the evaporator, further comprising providing a first blockerdisposed between the first portion and the first region of theevaporator and a second blocker disposed between the second portion andthe second region of the evaporator, the first and second blockershaving a first position in which airflow is generally unobstructed and asecond position in which airflow is obstructed, wherein selectivelyobstructing airflow includes moving the first blocker to the firstposition and the second blocker to the second position in the vent mode,and wherein selectively obstructing airflow includes moving the firstblocker to the second position and the second blocker to the firstposition in the heat mode.
 20. A climate control system for a vehiclehaving a vent mode and a heat mode comprising: a ducting assemblydefining a first airflow path and a second airflow path, each of thefirst and second airflow paths feeding into a passenger cabin of thevehicle; an evaporator having an upstream face, a downstream face, afirst longitudinal region that is disposed generally in the firstairflow path, and a second longitudinal region that is disposedgenerally in the second airflow path; a heater core disposed generallywithin the second airflow path, the first airflow path bypassing theheater core; at least one blower that blows air across the evaporatorfrom the upstream face to the downstream face to flow through at leastone of the first and second airflow paths, the air downstream of the atleast one blower having a pressure distribution defined generally alongthe downstream face; and a controller that controls at least one of theducting assembly and the at least one blower to vary the pressuredistribution along the downstream face, depending on which of theplurality of modes the climate control system is currently set.
 21. Aclimate control system for a vehicle having a plurality of modes, theclimate control system comprising: an evaporator having a downstreamface; at least one blower that blows air across the evaporator, the airdownstream of the blower having a pressure distribution definedgenerally along the downstream face; and a means for varying thepressure distribution along the downstream face depending on which ofthe plurality of modes the climate control system is currently set. 22.The climate control system of claim 21, wherein the at least one blowerincludes a first blower and a second blower, and wherein the means forvarying includes a controller that varies the respective speeds of thefirst and second blowers to vary the pressure distribution.
 23. Theclimate control system of claim 21, wherein the means for varyingincludes a ducting assembly with a wall that faces an upstream face ofthe evaporator, and wherein a distance between the wall and the upstreamface is variable to vary the pressure distribution.
 24. The climatecontrol system of claim 21, further comprising a ducting assembly with awall that faces an upstream face of the evaporator, and wherein themeans for varying includes a blocking member that selectively obstructsairflow between the wall and the upstream face of the evaporator.